Family Dining · Practical guide
Shimamura Music
Japanese Instruments, Music Schools & Tax-Free Shopping for Travelers
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Japanese name | 島村楽器 (Shimamura Music) |
| Brand Name | Shimamura Music / 島村楽器 (島村楽器株式会社 / Shimamura Music Inc.) |
| Store Type | Comprehensive musical instrument retailer, music school, repair booth & rental studio network |
| Target Audience | Touring musicians, guitarists, wind and keyboard players, and international tourists seeking Japanese-made instruments, effects pedals, and music accessories |
| Ordering Style | Open-aisle self-service browsing for accessories and sheet music; staff assistance required to test-play instruments; staffed checkout counters |
| Membership Required? | No membership or Japanese residency required for general retail shopping (Shimamura Music official app available for local residents; original physical foreign passport required for Tax-Free registration) |
| Approximate Price Range | Instrument and accessory prices vary by model, condition, store and current promotion. Check official live product listings and the actual shelf label; tourist tax refunds require confirmed registration at the specific seller and a qualifying purchase. |
| Multilingual Support | Official Shimamura tax-free guides are available in multiple languages. Confirm staff-language assistance, services and payment at the particular branch. |
| Payment Methods | Ask the individual counter which cards, cash, mobile payments and other methods it accepts; brands and payment services differ by store. |
| Store Network | 182 domestic locations across 40 prefectures from Hokkaido to Okinawa in Japan (as of February 2026 official corporate disclosure; total combining retail stores and music schools, with over 30 designated Tax-Free retail branches) |
What it is
Founded in 1962, Shimamura Music Inc. (島村楽器株式会社) operates Japan's largest nationwide network of musical instrument stores, spanning 182 domestic locations across 40 prefectures from Hokkaido down to Okinawa (combining retail shops and music schools). Predominantly situated inside high-traffic shopping malls and station buildings such as AEON Mall, LaLaport, PARCO, and Seibu PePe, Shimamura Music makes browsing instruments effortless for travelers regardless of where they are visiting in Japan.
The official tax-free directory identifies participating branches, including stores in Shinjuku, Akihabara and Osaka; check the exact shop and purchase procedure. Do not assume a particular third-party refund operator.
How to order
Step 1: Finding Mall & Tax-Free Eligible Branches
Shimamura Music operates across major urban train hubs and suburban malls:
- Designated Tax-Free Tourist Hubs: See the official participating-store list for Shinjuku PePe, Shimamura Strings Akihabara and Osaka-area stores; each counter must confirm current registration and eligibility.
- Standard Mall Branches: Convenient for picking up strings, picks, drum sticks, or sheet music, though not every suburban mall store handles Tax-Free paperwork (varies by store).
- Operating hours match host mall schedules, typically 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (varies by store).
Step 2: Requesting Instrument Test-Playing (Shiso / 試奏)
- Small consumables (picks, strings, straps, tuners) can be picked up freely from display hooks.
- Testing Guitars, Keyboards & Wind Instruments: Never pick a guitar off the wall or play display drums without asking staff first. Politely say "Shiso dekimasu ka?" (May I try playing this?). A staff member will check your belt buckles/zippers to prevent scratches, plug the instrument into an amp or soundproof booth, and hand it to you.
Step 3: Checking CITES Wood Rules & Warranty Terms
- Warranty Scope: Ask the actual retailer and manufacturer which written warranty applies to this model and whether repairs can be arranged overseas; do not assume identical cross-border support for every product.
- Overseas Delivery: Ask the specific shop whether international delivery is available for this item, how it is insured and whether CITES/export documentation is needed. Do not plan a flight around unconfirmed shipping or luggage allowances.
- CITES Timber Warning: Before purchasing acoustic or vintage guitars containing regulated woods such as Brazilian Rosewood (Jacaranda), check international CITES export/import permit rules for your home country.
Step 4: Cashier Checkout & 2026 Tax-Free Refund Procedure
- Tax-free shopping availability varies by branch (varies by store; available at over 30 designated Tax-Free branches displaying the official mark).
- Inform the cashier "Tax-Free kudasai" before payment and present your original physical foreign passport (Temporary Visitor status required; photocopies are ineligible).
- For eligible purchases at an officially registered tax-free shop from November 1, 2026:
- Check participation before paying at this exact store or counter. Eligible short-term visitors pay the tax-inclusive price, show the required passport/entry record and receive a registered purchase record; ask staff to explain the eventual refund provider and method.
- A qualifying purchase totals at least ¥5,000 excluding tax per registered store per day. The old separate general-goods/consumables categories and former consumables cap do not govern new purchases.
- Export the purchased goods. Food and other consumable goods used or consumed in Japan do not qualify for the departure export confirmation/refund.
- Within 90 days of purchase and before checking in baggage, complete Customs confirmation of the recorded tax-free purchase at the designated departure kiosk or available Visit Japan Web route. A green result completes the confirmation; a red result may require physically showing the goods to customs officers.
- Plan transport separately: Check your airline for instrument/case size, extra-seat or checked-baggage options, spare lithium batteries, oils and aerosols. A liquid exceeding the cabin 100 ml limit is not automatically safe or permitted in checked baggage; flammable or dangerous products may be prohibited entirely. Have any goods needed for Customs inspection accessible before bag drop.
- After Customs confirms export, the seller or its appointed refund operator processes the consumption-tax refund by the method agreed at purchase. Customs does not issue the refund. Refund timing and any fees depend on the participating seller; participating refund operators may offer an airport refund desk, but this is not automatic for every seller.
What to order first
1. Made-in-Japan Electric Guitars & Basses (History / Fender Japan / Ibanez)
- What it is: Domestic Japanese electric guitars crafted in Nagano and other Japanese workshops, including Shimamura Music's exclusive History line featuring Circle Fretting System (CFS) precision.
- Why buy it: Renowned globally for meticulous fretwork, stable neck profiles, and competitive domestic Yen pricing.
- Price expectation: Check the current model-specific listing or shelf label at the selected shop; prices, condition and stock vary.
2. Compact Japanese Effects Pedals (Boss / Zoom / Ibanez)
- What it is: Classic stompboxes and multi-effects processors engineered in Japan, easy to pack inside carry-on bags.
- Why buy it: Compact and usually easier to transport than a full-sized guitar; verify the actual pedal’s power-supply input, voltage, polarity, battery and airline restrictions before travel.
- Price expectation: Check the current model-specific listing or shelf label at the selected shop; prices, condition and stock vary.
3. Japanese Anime, Game & J-POP Sheet Music Books (Band Scores)
- What it is: Official Japanese band scores, solo piano arrangements, and fingerstyle guitar tab books covering Studio Ghibli, Final Fantasy, and J-Rock hits.
- Why buy it: Detailed, accurate transcriptions rarely printed or distributed outside Japan.
- Price expectation: Check the current model-specific listing or shelf label at the selected shop; prices, condition and stock vary.
4. Character Guitar Picks, Straps & Japanese Art Accessories
- What it is: Collectible guitar picks printed with Hello Kitty, Pokémon, anime motifs, or Ukiyo-e woodblock art, plus woven Japanese kimono-fabric guitar straps.
- Why buy it: Affordable, featherlight souvenirs for musician friends.
- Price expectation: Check the current model-specific listing or shelf label at the selected shop; prices, condition and stock vary.
5. Yamaha Silent Guitars & Compact Travel Instruments
- What it is: Frame-detachable Yamaha SLG-series electric-acoustic guitars with relatively compact bags; check the packed dimensions and each airline’s cabin and checked-baggage policy before traveling.
- Why buy it: Designed for quiet practice and a reduced packed footprint; airlines decide whether the instrument travels in the cabin, on an extra seat or checked.
- Price expectation: Check the current model-specific listing or shelf label at the selected shop; prices, condition and stock vary.
Payment & practical info
Prices and details checked: February 2026.
- Accepted Payment Modes: Cash (JPY), major international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, etc.), transit IC cards, electronic money, and mobile QR payments (exact options vary by store and host commercial complex).
- Tax-free purchases (refund system since November 1, 2026): Only where this particular shop/counter is an authorized participating seller, eligible visitors pay tax-inclusive, buy at least ¥5,000 excluding tax at the same store on the same day, complete Customs export confirmation within 90 days of purchase before checking in baggage, and receive any refund from the merchant or its designated operator by the method agreed at purchase. Consumable goods must not be used in Japan; the former separate general-goods/consumables categories no longer apply. A shop's participation, refund desk and fees must be checked for that transaction.
- Operating Hours: Hours vary by store (varies by store), typically matching host shopping mall hours from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Good to know / Common mistakes
1. CITES Timber Export & Airline Guitar Case Rules
Always verify whether a guitar's fingerboard or back/sides contain CITES-restricted rosewood species or tortoiseshell/ivory inlays before traveling internationally. Also confirm your airline's carry-on vs. checked hard-case policy for guitars well ahead of departure.
2. Promotional Discount Coupons
Promotional discount coupons may be distributed during specific promotional campaigns or Shimamura Music app seasonal sales. Terms, validity periods, exclusions, and minimum purchase conditions apply.
3. Voltage Differences on Japanese Amplifiers (100V)
Japan operates on 100V AC power. While battery-powered or 9V DC pedals work worldwide with an appropriate local power supply, full-sized Japanese guitar amplifiers built for the domestic 100V grid require a step-down transformer if taken to 120V (US) or 230V (EU/UK/Asia) countries.
FAQ
Q1: Can Shimamura Music ship a guitar overseas to my home address?
Ask the specific shop about delivery, export documents, insurance and total cost before paying. Direct international shipping cannot be assumed, and a purchased guitar may need airline approval or a separately booked seat to travel with you.
Q2: Do all 182 Shimamura Music retail and music-school locations offer tax-free sales?
No. The 182-location corporate figure includes music schools as well as shops. Shimamura publishes a separate participating-store list; tax-free status must be verified at the exact sales counter before purchase.
Q3: How do I receive a tax refund under Japan’s 2026 departure-confirmation system?
For a qualifying purchase at a registered tax-free shop after November 1, 2026, pay the full tax-inclusive amount and ask the seller how the refund will be delivered. Customs confirms export within 90 days of purchase and before baggage check-in, sometimes requiring the goods to be shown. After confirmation, the seller or its refund operator, not Customs, arranges the refund according to the method agreed at purchase. Confirm participation at this exact store; another shop or mall counter is not proof.
Sources
- Shimamura Music Inc. Official Corporate Portal (Verified: 2026-11-13)
- Shimamura Music Nationwide Store Locator (Verified: 2026-11-13)
- Japan Customs Departure Tax-Free Regulations (Verified: 2026-11-13)
- Japan Customs: Tax-Free Refund System from November 2026 (Checked: 2026-11-14)
- Japan Tourism Agency: Departure Customs and 90-Day Purchase Window (Checked: 2026-11-14)
- Japan METI: CITES Species and Musical Instrument Exceptions (Checked: 2026-11-14)
- ANA: Musical Instrument Travel Rules (Checked: 2026-11-14)
- Shimamura corporate profile: combined store/school count (Checked: 2026-11-14)
- Shimamura listed tax-free sellers (Checked: 2026-11-14)